Fire Born

by Rayanne Haines

  “I’ll teach you. Every night we were separated, Daylen joined me in my dreams. I watched him guide Neeren through the process when he was little.” Gray started up the hill. “Come on, it's the middle of the night. If we’re going to make it happen, we better get started before it’s too late. Your dragon is probably an early riser.”

  “Mother, stop.” Alex tugged on her arm. “I don't think I want to do this.”

  “Nonsense. That is only fear talking. You miss him. I'm sure you want to offer him explanations. You can even simply peek in to make sure he is sleeping soundly if you want. He doesn't need to know you were there.”

  “I can do that? Isn’t it a bit voyeuristic?”

  “Voyeuristic? This is the Parthen gift. You control the dreams you walk in. Let me help you. I missed so much of your life. I missed your first laughs, your first steps, your first loves and heartbreaks. I want to help with this. Will you let me?”

  “It would be . . . nice . . . to see Collum asleep.” She beamed at her mother. “Let's hurry before I come to my senses and change my mind.”

  ~ ~ ~

  They ran across the beach like children, drunk on the high of finding each other and the act of mischief they were about to perform. Four-footed sentries roamed the glowing halls as they raced through the castle. All bowed on front paws as they passed. In minutes, the two of them swept into her room. As soon as Alex closed the door, Gray began her instructions.

  “It’s very simple, my darling. You merely need to fall asleep with a vision of Collum in your mind. Since this is your first attempt, you may need someone to ground you, so I will stay until you fall asleep. If he’s awake you won't be able to reach him. You gain admittance to the mind through the dream state. It’s much different than telepathy. First, you begin with meditation. Visualize being in the room with him. Then walk into that meditation. Dreams, for many immortals, feel the same as reality. A few experience disorientation afterward, but I doubt that will be the case for a creature as old and powerful as Collum Thronus.”

  Alex paid close attention to every word. “The first time Neeren contacted me, I’d fallen asleep on the airplane and woke up in a tropical garden. I remember everything feeling very fuzzy. I think he brought me here.”

  Gray nodded. “He wanted to bring you somewhere familiar the first time you met. It was easier to pick a location he felt safe in, rather than trying to guess one of yours. Because of his power and your blood connection, he was able to bring you to a place of his choosing. You won't be able to do that yet.”

  “So, how do I reach Collum?”

  “First, get out of the wet dress you’re wearing and put on some comfortable sleeping clothes. I'll bring a blanket off the bed while you do that.”

  Gray motioned to the thick, yellow leather loveseat, by the south window. “That spot is perfect. I'll ring for wine while you change. It will help calm your nerves and make it easier to get into a meditative space.” She pushed her toward the closet. “Go, Alexedria, we haven't a ton of time. Tonight, we fight the rise of the sun.”

  Alex stripped out of her wet dress. The garment was destroyed. It had been a beautiful dress for a beautiful day but, as the day ended, she reached for something more her style. She exited the closet five minutes later wearing a soft peach cotton tank top and pyjama bottoms. Thankfully, Neeren added casual clothes to the mix of high end garments. The closet was a combination of gently worn tank tops, bad-ass jeans, and Grecian influenced dresses.

  Gray nodded approvingly when she saw her. “I suspected you would be more comfortable in something like that. No one who cares about fine Greek silk would have wandered into the ocean in that dress like you did earlier. It is good. It's fitting for a warrior to care more about the health of her body and less about what goes on it.”

  “You’re still in your wet dress. Do you want to wear something of mine?”

  “Thank you, dear, but no. The material will dry soon enough and I'm not staying long anyway. I'll change when I return to my room.”

  The knock at the door signaled the arrival of their wine. Gray thanked the servant at the door with a smile and returned hoisting an open bottle and two crystal glasses. “We have success. It's the good stuff.”

  Alex burst out laughing. She suspected in another time her mother was hell to handle. She hoped she'd get a chance to see her that way.

  Gray poured the deep red wine into two glasses, handed one to Alex and gracefully lowered herself to the loveseat, curling her feet underneath her. She could have been wearing the crown jewels, Alex thought, not a dripping white sheath.

  Gray raised the glass. “A toast to us, to finding family, and a toast to the dragon. May he sleep well this night and welcome your walk.”

  As the liquid hit her mouth Alex’s tongue melted. She held the sweet elixir in her mouth for as long as she could before swallowing. “Oh, my God. You weren't kidding. This is amazing.”

  “It better be. It’s from Neeren's private stock. He must have warned the staff to have a bottle ready for us. You see what I mean? Neeren will make sure the staff takes care of your every want and need. He will expect it of them . . . and no one denies Neeren. Now have another drink and think of the dragon. Let yourself drift if you feel the need to. Picture a space where you felt safe with him. Let your eyes close when they are ready. The wine will help you fall asleep quickly. My dear girl, you must so be tired. In the last few days you've spanned half the world, and begun a new life.”

  Alex savored the wine while listening to her mother’s quiet voice. Even if this didn't work, she knew she would remember this moment as one of the loveliest of her life.

  Gray smiled. “Allow your breathing to deepen as you drink. Picture his face in your mind. Think of the best parts of him. The best moment with him. Tell yourself you are going to see him. Think of the destination. Can you see the space, Alex?”

  Alex’s eyes grew heavy. The wine she sipped was drugged. A fact her mother had left out, she thought, as her lids closed. She'd be mad at her if she weren’t already drifting off. Then again maybe Gray didn't know. She'd be mad at Neeren instead. First, she had to go find Collum.

  She was certain her mother kissed her cheek and said, “I love you,” before leaving the room.

  As Alex drifted further into the world of dreams, her last conscious thought was . . . the night had been long and beautiful here.

  Chapter 29

  When Alex opened her eyes, she found herself at the foot of the bed she'd left earlier that morning. It felt like a lifetime ago. She thought of how Collum had kissed her there, pressing his mouth against hers—pressing her back against the wall. The heat radiating off the stone fireplace reminded her of their fire.

  As her eyes adjusted to the dark, she studied the large male form lying on the bed. A shiver ran through her as she realized he slept in the room where they’d been together. Moving around to the edge of the bed, she studied his sleeping figure. His black hair was tousled, his thick, muscled frame on full display. She took her time admiring his body. Tattoos covered his arms and parts of his chest with intricate displays of dragons and Celtic markings. A symbol comprised of three swirling circles, on his right shoulder, caught her eye and she reached out to gently stroke it. Dark hair was sprinkled across his chest and legs.

  He was one muscle after the other. Beautiful. A fierceness emanated from him even in his sleep. Alex raised her eyes to trace his chiseled jaw and full lips. Their eyes met. The heat of his gaze slammed into her gut.

  “Enjoying what you see?”

  Startled, Alex jumped back. She thought she'd be in control.

  He reached his hand out to her. “Come here. I want to taste you.” A promise of earth and fire in his eyes.

  Her stomach clenched as heat pooled between her legs. She felt wicked and wanton. Knowing he thought it was a dream,
she moved closer to the bed. As she traced her fingers along his chest, flickers of fire jumped out to burn him.

  Collum groaned and grabbed her hand. He stared in to her eyes as he pulled her fingers to his mouth and began suckling them like he’d done on the plane.

  Her knees weakened. The flames on her flesh began to move. She wanted to take charge this time. But it was his dream. She felt flustered a moment. She didn't know the rules.

  “Take your top off,” Collum commanded. He sat up on the edge of the bed and pulled her to him. “I want to see your nipples harden as I lick your skin.”

  She helped him pull her top off. He was urgent, insistent, controlling. His hands roamed her body. Alex felt power course through her. She stared at rippling muscles the color of honey and climbed on the bed beside him.

  He dipped his hand into her waistband and yanked her sweats off. Alex adjusted, lifting her ass so he could have better access. Collum pushed his fingers into her slick wetness and rubbed back and forth. Alex whimpered, nipped his chest. Fire grew.

  “Don’t stop, Collum.”

  “Ah, baby, I'm never going to stop.”

  He grabbed her hair with his free hand and pulled her face to his. Roughly, he kissed her lips.

  She grabbed his shoulders, gripping him as he began to ravage her mouth. Sparks erupted between them as Alex moved to the rhythm of his finger. She pushed herself closer, demanded more.

  Collum curved his finger inside her, growling into her mouth, “God, I want you. Let me taste you.” He laid back and lifted her above his head. In one swift movement, he set her wetness to his mouth.

  Alex nearly screamed as tremors raced through her. His powerful grasp held her in pace as he clamped on to her thighs and held her against his mouth. Forced his tongue into her, licking, biting, clawing. On the verge of coming, she held onto the headboard as she groaned out her desire. Her fire craved Collum as much as she did and began to wrap around the hands holding her thighs.

  “Mine,” he snarled, low in his throat. “You are fucking, mine.”

  An instant later he flipped them over so she lay beneath him. Grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. Flesh against flesh. Her flame reached for him. Roaring, he surged into her body. Deep onyx and silver wings exploded from his back. Fire poured out of his skin. Flames leapt to life in the fireplace and the golden walls of the room bled lava.

  Alex erupted as the energy in the room brought on the most intense orgasm of her life. She thrust against Collum as he plunged deep and hard into her. Her flames wound their way up to his wings. Savored the silky texture. Pulsed against the straining veins. In her lover’s face, she saw more beast than man.

  He stared down at her with red eyes. Dragon eyes. Forced her legs around his waist and cocooned their bodies inside his wings before leaping from the bed in one ferocious burst of speed. He pushed Alex against the wall, tightened his wings, made them one. His hands still gripped her waist. He ground his cock in and out of her.

  She bit his neck and shoulders, licked the sparks glistening on his skin. Felt the fires rising under her own. Her hair caught fire as Collum slammed her against the wall, using his wings to catch the brunt of the impact. He fucked her. Wild. A beast driven by desire for his woman.

  Alex took it all, gripped him tighter, as she neared orgasm again. Her flesh sung in the power, reveled in the fire from her dragon. Savored the fact that his dragon nature had taken over. Lava pulsed through the veins in his wings. He pushed her further, brought her to the edge of sanity. As they came together, the room erupted in flames around them.

  Alex gripped his hair and lifted his head from her neck as they fell back to earth. “Collum, you need to stop the fire now. I don't know how.”

  Half crazed, otherworldly red eyes, smoldered under her gaze.

  “I’ll burn the world down for you. You’re mine,” the dragon snarled.

  She stroked his cheek, let herself sink into his wings. She petted him, murmuring, “I am yours, beast. Now, stop the fire.”

  Slowly the dragon shuddered and released a low breath. The flames gradually died out. He stepped back from her and let her body slide back to the floor before grabbing her hand and beginning to drag her back to the bed.

  “Collum, wait. I need to talk to you.”

  His voice was raw, scorched. Gravel in his throat. “Later. I want more.” He kept pulling her. The strength of the dragon evident in his grip on her hand.

  “We don't have time. I have to go soon,” Alex said as she pulled back.

  He stopped then—measured her. The roomed cooled. Slowly, the dragon’s aura left them. “This isn't my dream, is it?”

  Alex shook her head. “It is, at least I think it is. But it's also real. I'm here with you. I'm new at all this. It's just that I can't stay.”

  “So, the witch was right.” He retreated to the edge of the bed. “The Dreamwalker is your brother. You aren't mine.”

  “You found her already? Never mind it doesn't matter.” She touched his shoulder. “Yes, Neeren is my brother. I have a family and I’m happy.”

  “I could force you to stay.”

  “No, you can’t. You'll wake up soon and I have to go back.”

  “No.” He sneered. “I could force you to stay.”

  “What do you mean, Collum?” At his blank look, she tried again. “Talk to me.”

  He shook his head, refused to make eye contact. “It doesn’t matter. About what just happened. I wouldn’t have let my dragon out if I thought this was real. If I hurt you, I’m sorry.”

  She sat beside him on the bed and took his hand. “Don't you dare say that. What we did was absolutely the most erotic thing I've ever experienced. Don't you dare regret it. Look, I don't know what this is between us, but I feel the power of it too. It's just that I need some time.”

  “Sure, but I still shouldn't have lost control that way. At least not without preparing you first.”

  “Oh God, stop that. You are so perfect I'm ready to jump you again just thinking about it. And if I recall, you reminded me very recently that we are immortal.” She grabbed his chin and forced him to look in her eyes. “You didn't hurt me.”

  He threaded his fingers into her tangled hair. “You are so goddamn gorgeous.”

  Alex's heart melted and she kissed him lightly on the mouth. “So are you, you big brute.” She leaned back. “Look, I want my family. I'm not going to leave them, but I want you too and I'm sorry I left the way I did. The elders will come for my brother and me. I'm going to fight them. I'm going to fight them with all the power I have. It turns out I have a lot of it. I'm releasing you from your oath. You don't have to protect me anymore. I won't let another person I care about be hurt. Please don't come when they find me.”

  His hands tightened in her tangles as he said through gritted teeth, “Sweetheart, you are fucking nuts if you think I'm not coming for you.”

  “I said I don't want you too.”

  “Yeah. Heard you. Don't give a shit. Still coming.”

  Alex jerked her head away from him and she climbed off the bed. “You are the most infuriating person I've ever met. Can't you respect what I want? I'm trying to be noble here.”

  “Again, don't give a shit, because I realized something too, little girl.” He stood in front of her, naked and cut from fire and stone. He held her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. “You and I belong to each other, and I'm not leaving it to some fucking cat to protect you.”

  As she stood speechless at his declaration, he kissed her. Long, hard, possessively. Ended it when she gripped his chest, full of frustration and wanting. Then before she could grab him back for more, he turned his back, climbed into bed and said, “Now, get the fuck out of my dream, sweetheart.”

  ~ ~ ~

  She opened her eyes back in her roo
m at Neeren's castle, tangled in her cashmere blanket. He'd pushed her out of his dream. How the hell had he done it? Astounded, she looked to the sun slowly rising on the horizon. Had it even been a dream? She needed to find out more about this power.

  She was exhausted. Her body ached from their lovemaking. She felt the ridges of a bite mark on her shoulder. Gray told her she’d retain control. But she hadn’t—not for a second. Maybe her mother didn’t know as much about dreamwalking as she thought? Or it was something else. How strong was Collum? God, he was fierce. She sighed. Maybe he was her dragon. She sunk into the loveseat. Closed her eyes as the sun burst above the sea. Content, she dreamed of fire.

  Chapter 30

  Collum woke with the smell of her lingering on his sheets. Some part of him recognized she’d been dreamwalking from the minute she appeared in the room. He hadn't cared. Dreamwalker or not, she was his. Controlling the dream had been an unconscious act, an extension of his natural ability to control the thoughts of those around him—of anyone really. He was one of only a handful with the power to do so. It was his most closely guarded secret. Immediate death met anyone who discovered it. Control of the dream had been instinctual. He prayed Alex's naivety of the immortal world would keep her from asking questions.

  His hand wandered to his erection as he imagined her body next to his. He was stiff and ready. Thoughts of how they’d ravaged each other last night consumed him. He stroked himself as images of their lovemaking ran through his mind. Pictured himself thrusting against her while holding her in his wings. Pictured the flames that soared around them when they came. Remembered the fierce whimpers she’d made while she pulled him in closer. She was the most amazing woman he’d ever met and he couldn't fathom being without her.